Abstract: A modified pump follower device (2) and method of retarding injection timing of EMD-type unit injectors by a desired amount of crank degrees includes the steps of providing a modified pump follower (2) whose plunger engagement location, also known as t-slot (7), varies depending on the desired amount of retarding. Specifically, the modified pump follower (2) has a t-slot (7) which has a predetermined distance t? on the modified pump follower (2), as compared to conventional pump followers having a predetermined distance t, such that the t-slot (14) is closer to the top face (9) of the pump follower (2). The difference in spacing between the original timing t and the retarded timing t? is r, which is an amount equal to the amount of retardation, in linear units, that corresponds to the desired amount of retardation in crank degrees.